Early Disposition Court

What
is Early Disposition Court (EDC)?
Early Disposition Court, or EDC, is a court session separate from traditional
court sessions. EDC attempts to bring criminal cases to resolution with the
fewest possible court appearances. The goal is to make the criminal justice
system more efficient; but still protect the rights of all parties involved. All
parts of the criminal justice system work together and share information as much
as possible.

How does EDC work?
After the Initial Appearance, the County Attorney decides if a case should go to
EDC. If the case is right for EDC, it is set for court at an EDC session. At
that EDC session, the defendant is arraigned, and a plea agreement is offered by
the County Attorney. If the defendant accepts the plea agreement, sentencing
will occur that day or an EDC session. If the defendant does not accept the
offered plea agreement, there are two options. More time is allowed to reach a
plea agreement by the next EDC session; or the case is set for a traditional
court session.

Why would a case go to EDC?
If the attorneys believe a case can be resolved more quickly, and the rights of
all parties will not be compromised, the case may be sent to Early Disposition
Court.

What’s in it for me?

•

The Community/Taxpayers

EDC saves
resources. It saves time and tax dollars. Cases
in EDC are typically resolved in a single
hearing. When a case goes to traditional court
it may take a minimum of three months to
resolve. When a case is resolved in EDC, there
is no need for a Grand Jury indictment. With
fewer cases sent to the Grand Jury, fewer
citizens may be called to sit for a four month
Grand Jury obligation.

If a defendant is placed on probation, it is
important to get the defendant under probation
supervision as soon as possible. If a case goes
through traditional court, the defendant may
stay in jail an extra 10 days until arraignment.
During that time, the defendant may lose
employment, housing, and other support that can
help a person be successful in the community.
EDC helps keep these supports in place by
getting the defendant back in the community
under probation supervision more quickly. This
makes it more likely the defendant can be
successful and less likely the defendant will
commit more crimes.

•

The Victim

Just like
traditional court, victims in EDC have the
opportunity to be heard and to provide input.
When a case goes to EDC, fewer court hearings
means fewer trips to the courthouse. If the
defendant is put on probation, getting this done
faster means a better chance at getting victim
restitution paid more quickly.

•

The Defendant

EDC usually means
fewer trips to the courthouse for hearings and
quicker case resolution. If the sentence is to
be probation, going into EDC may also mean
getting out of custody sooner. That in turn may
mean keeping or finding a job, and getting
needed help (like counseling) sooner.